Lin Bai's attempts to conceal his identity are met with persistence by Tang Yuezhi, who refuses to leave his courtyard. After five days, a group of Tang Family Senior Guest Officials, led by Nie Yifeng, confront Lin Bai, accusing him of mistreating Tang Yuezhi and demanding an explanation. Lin Bai, angered by their interference and veiled threat, unleashes a dangerous killing intent in response.
"Are you all courting death?"
Lin Bai spun around, his eyes blazing with ferocity as he fixed his gaze upon Nie Yifeng and his companions.
At this very moment, the smile on Tang Yuezhi’s face vanished. She quickly stood, her expression one of surprise as she looked at Lin Bai. This was because she could sense a faint aura of killing intent emanating from Lin Bai.
Nie Yifeng and the others appeared oblivious to any change, their smugness unwavering. They declared to Lin Bai, "Treating the young lady in such a manner shows you have no understanding of propriety!"
"No matter what, we shall teach you a lesson today!"
Lin Bai abruptly turned back, advancing towards Nie Yifeng. His face contorted into a cold expression as he questioned, "And you believe you are capable of teaching me a lesson?"
A palpable killing intent manifested, and a gentle breeze swept through the small courtyard.
Yet, it was from this breeze that Tang Yuezhi perceived the frightening sword intention radiating from Lin Bai’s being.
"Guest Official Lin Bai..." Tang Yuezhi uttered softly, "This is my fault. I implore Guest Official Lin Bai not to hold it against them."
Her words seemed to temper Lin Bai's anger somewhat. He cast a cold glance at Tang Yuezhi and commanded, "Tell them to leave!"
With that, Lin Bai prepared to turn and depart.
However, Nie Yifeng persisted, stating, "Guest Official Lin Bai, you must offer an apology to Miss Tang Yuezhi today. Otherwise, we will not depart easily!"
"Yes, that's right, apologize!"
"You must apologize!"
"Apologize!"
The other guest officials who had accompanied Nie Yifeng shouted their demands at Lin Bai.
Nie Yifeng proclaimed, "The young lady holds a noble status; how can you possibly treat her this way!"
As he spoke, Nie Yifeng's eyes briefly flickered with elation when he glanced towards the young lady.
Tang Yuezhi, feeling a touch of annoyance, looked at Nie Yifeng with a displeased expression and ultimately shook her head slightly.
Lin Bai halted his movement, a sneer twisting his lips. "Esteemed guest officials, do not presume I am unaware of your intentions. You believe that by standing up for the young lady now, you can gain her favor!"
"Unfortunately for you, you have chosen the wrong path!"
"I strongly advise you to vacate my courtyard immediately. This is my final warning!"
"Should you dare to utter another impertinent word, do not blame me for showing no mercy today!"
Lin Bai declared with icy finality.
Lin Bai's concluding statement was laden with an intense, palpable killing intent.
However, Nie Yifeng and his cohort remained unfazed, instead smirking as they challenged, "We are eager to witness precisely how Guest Official Lin Bai intends to show no mercy!"
Lin Bai glanced sideways at Nie Yifeng, a surge of murderous intent flaring in his eyes.
At that critical juncture, the Demonic Sword materialized from his Storage Bag.
Instantly, a blinding sword aura streaked across the sky, its trajectory aimed directly at Nie Yifeng's throat.
The sword strike was sudden, swift as lightning, offering Nie Yifeng and his companions no adequate time to react. It appeared in an instant, poised at Nie Yifeng's throat.
"Not good!"
Though Nie Yifeng hadn't witnessed Lin Bai draw his sword, an oppressive sword aura now pressed against his throat. Cold sweat trickled down his body, and his scalp tingled with primal fear!
Without a second thought, Nie Yifeng immediately attempted to retreat.
But at that very moment, Lin Bai’s sword descended in a clean, straight cut, severing one of Nie Yifeng’s arms, which then plummeted to the ground.
"Ah!" A piercing scream erupted from Nie Yifeng’s lips.
Having detached Nie Yifeng’s arm with a single, decisive stroke, Lin Bai sheathed his sword. He gazed coldly at the fallen Nie Yifeng and proclaimed, "Consider this arm a lesson. Should you fail to comprehend your folly, my next sword strike will claim your life!"
Lin Bai's words were delivered with chilling composure.
Witnessing Lin Bai's swift amputation of Nie Yifeng's arm, the other guest officials were struck with terror. Their faces turned ashen, and they regarded Lin Bai with abject horror.
"How is this possible!"
"He is merely a humble guest official at the Seventh Layer of the Death Reversal Realm!"
"How could he possibly sever Nie Yifeng's arm with a single sword strike!"
"This person... his sword mastery is utterly astonishing!"
The remaining guest officials stared at Lin Bai, their expressions grave and filled with disbelief.
Nie Yifeng, clutching his severed limb, glared furiously at Lin Bai, his teeth gritted, his heart consumed by incandescent rage.
"Get out!" Lin Bai's voice was a cold snort.
Nie Yifeng, retrieving his severed arm from the ground, turned and fled Lin Bai's courtyard.
The other guest officials scrambled to follow in rapid succession.
Lin Bai observed their hasty retreat, casting a dissatisfied glance towards Tang Yuezhi. He stated, "Miss, as I have already declared, I will not provide you with the method to control the Darkwater Divine Thunder Technique!"
"Even if I were to give it to you, you would be incapable of wielding it!"
"If you intend to persist in waiting here, then by all means, continue your vigil!"
"I have pressing matters to attend to at this very moment."
Lin Bai spoke with nonchalant finality.
"Matters? Are you perhaps heading to the Fighting Arena?" Tang Yuezhi inquired with evident curiosity.
Lin Bai offered a nod, "In three days, I am scheduled to contend with a Great General from the Li Family, a warrior known as the Blade Emperor!"
"The Li Family's Great General, the Blade Emperor!" Tang Yuezhi gasped in astonishment. "Currently, he holds the top rank within the Fighting Arena, and a multitude of Undefeated Generals have already met their end by his blade!"
"What's more, the truly terrifying aspect is that to this day, not a single soul has managed to withstand his three decisive strikes!"
"He has participated in one hundred and twenty bouts within the Fighting Arena's Martial Arts Competitions. In every single one of those one hundred and twenty contests, he vanquished his adversaries with three swift blades. Should the opposing general not yield within those three strikes, there is but one outcome: death!"
"After attaining the rank of Great General, I too contemplated challenging the Blade Emperor. However, I ultimately lacked the resolve, for I am acutely aware of the vast chasm that separates my own might from the Blade Emperor's capabilities!"
"My challenge against the Blade Emperor would inevitably seal my doom!"
Tang Yuezhi regarded Lin Bai with a solemn expression, "You intend to battle the Blade Emperor? Do you possess the confidence to endure his three blades?"
Lin Bai responded with a soft tone, "Without engaging in the fight, how can I possibly know!"
"Very well, young lady, I must now attend to my preparations. I have no time for further conversation!"
With those words, Lin Bai turned, retreating once more to the solitude of his secret chamber to persist in his cultivation of the Black Water Divine Thunder.
Tang Yuezhi, too, did not linger within the guest quarters. She recognized that her presence had inadvertently become a burden to Lin Bai. Now, with Lin Bai on the verge of a monumental battle, he evidently desired no distractions!
Tang Yuezhi departed from Lin Bai's courtyard and made her way back to her own residence!
In the ensuing days, unrest once again rippled through Black Water City.
The news spread like wildfire: the Blade Emperor was set to face the Sword Demon, a confrontation destined to be nothing short of cataclysmic!
Every inhabitant was aware that the Blade Emperor stood as the undisputed supreme powerhouse within the Fighting Arena. Across his hundred and twenty Martial Arts Competitions, the Blade Emperor had consistently defeated his opponents with a mere three blades. For those who dared not concede beneath those three lethal strikes, their existence would invariably cease, becoming mere specters under his formidable blade!
Throughout one hundred and twenty contests, the Blade Emperor had remained undefeated, a record that left many utterly speechless.
Yet, despite the Blade Emperor's unparalleled renown, the martial artists engaging in wagers at the underground casinos adopted an uncharacteristic air of caution in these recent days.
With the day of the Martial Arts Competition looming, the betting odds remained conspicuously stable, fixed at a steady two to one. Whether this deliberate manipulation by the Fighting Arena organizers or a reflection of the martial artists' own hesitation, remained a profound mystery to all!
